By Uzair Adam
Man O’ War Nigeria has expressed readiness to partner with sports stakeholders to identify and develop grassroots sports talents across the country as part of efforts to promote national sports development.
The National Commander of the organisation, Ademola Gbenga, said the initiative aligns with its vision of “Build the Youth, Build the Nation”, noting that its nationwide structures could be used to support talent discovery and development programmes.
Gbenga stated this during a strategic partnership visit by the Editor of Sahel Sports Newspaper, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, to the organisation’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by MC A. R. Ikumapayi, the National Commander said Man O’ War was strategically positioned to build partnerships that would promote physical fitness, discipline and national unity through sports.
He explained that the organisation, a youth-focused uniformed voluntary body, operates in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with structures in tertiary institutions, secondary schools and communities.
“One of our core mandates is youth development, leadership training and positive engagement of young people. Sports is one of our strongest tools to achieve that,” he said.
He added that sports should be viewed as more than competition, describing it as a means of instilling discipline, teamwork, resilience and patriotism among young people.
The Editor of Sahel Sports Newspaper, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, described Man O’ War as one of Nigeria’s longstanding voluntary paramilitary organisations with an enviable history.
He urged the national leadership to further strengthen the use of sports activities to promote physical fitness and agility among its members.
Oladimeji noted that regular sporting activities were essential for maintaining physical readiness, developing mental toughness and strengthening unity among members.
